UFC's Alistair Overeem planning December return

As far as Alistair Overeem is concerned, he’s going to fight soon after his current suspension ends.

The UFC heavyweight took to Twitter on Monday and promised fans he’ll be in the cage before year’s end.

“I’ll be fighting again in December, and mark my words, I’ll be back to get the belt sooner rather (than) later,” he stated.

Overeem (36-11 MMA, 1-0 UFC), a former Strikeforce champion, most recently scored a TKO victory over Brock Lesnar in December at UFC 141. But prior to a scheduled May title fight with heavyweight champion Junior Dos Santos at UFC 146, he failed a surprise pre-fight drug test.

The 32-year-old registered a 14-to-1 testosterone-to-epitestosterone (T/E) ratio, more than twice the 6-to-1 ratio allowed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. At his April 24 hearing with the NSAC, Overeem’s personal doctor, Dr. Hector Molina, admitted to injecting Overeem with testosterone in January, as well as providing the fighter with additional doses to administer himself.

Overeem admitted to administering one of the doses of what Molina refereed to as “tetra mix” (a proprietary blend of anti-inflammatories, along with aqueous testosterone) on March 23 after consulting with the physician via phone. With nagging rib injuries allegedly bothering him during a press tour, Overeem said he phoned Molina and asked if it was safe to take another dose. Molina assured him that it was, according to Overeem, who later failed the surprise drug test on March 27.

The commission ultimately suspended Overeem nine months, and he can now reapply for a fight license on Dec. 27. The UFC, of course, is expected to host its traditional year-end Las Vegas blockbuster on Dec. 29.

Sure, it leaves little time for Overeem to get licensed, but during his April hearing, even commissioner Francisco Aguilar suggested the fighter would be eligible for the pay-per-view event.

UFC president Dana White has admonished Overeem’s actions and said he now leaves UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta to deal directly with the Dutch fighter, who recently relocated to Florida and the JACO Hybrid Training Center.

When Overeem does return to the cage, he’ll do so with a 13-fight win streak that stretches back nearly five years. White has said Overeem will fight again in the UFC, though it’s not clear if his immediate title shot is still a possibility upon his return.

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